The Absa Cup turned into a ”cup of controversies” as a 10-man Orlando Pirates sneaked a 1-0 win over Free State Stars at an emotional Johannesburg Stadium on Saturday night via a 90th-minute penalty. In other matches, a listless Supersport United were defeated 3-1 by Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns beat Lamontville Golden Arrows 1-0 and Santos beat Island FC 6-0.
Bedlam broke loose among the distraught Free State players for several minutes after referee Daniel Bennett awarded the spot kick from which Zambian international Isaac Chansa slotted the ball into the corner of the net with the finality of an executioner.
Bennett was surrounded by Stars players and while backing away tripped over the foot of Joseph Makhanya, who had himself been tripped in the penalty area only minutes earlier.
The referee mistakenly booked Free State goalkeeper Simla Mashinini, the player of the game, for his undignified fall during the heated verbal exchanges.
But Bennett was spot-on when he showed Pirates Onyekachi Okonko a red card in the 79th minute for striking an opponent in an off-the-ball incident — and again when he awarded the Buccaneers the penalty that decided the game.
Pirates engineered an avalanche of opportunities during the first half and on two occasions only the woodwork prevented them from scoring.
On other occasions the scintillating goalkeeping of Mashinini kept the Buccaneers at bay and numerous chances went begging because of inept finishing.
The gritty, never-say-die Stars appeared to have weathered the storm in the second period and for the first time in the game the relegation-threatened team seemed poised to deliver the first major upset of this year’s Absa Cup when Pirates were reduced to 10 men.
Instead, the panicky infringement with only seconds of the mandatory 90 minutes left cost Stars dearly — and not even seven additional minutes of extra time could rescue them.
Supersport exit
A listless Supersport United appeared on the wrong wavelength as the Absa Cup holders made an early exit from this year’s tournament following a comprehensive 3-1 defeat against Kaizer Chiefs at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Even in the goalless opening half United showed little of the verve and drive expected from defending champions and Chiefs were the superior team throughout — despite a degree of misfortune suffered by the Pretoria-based club over a couple of significant off-side decisions and what appeared a premature ending to the proceedings.
Chiefs were not much more inventive during the opening period, despite dominating possession.
But Amakhosi’s German-born coach, Ernst Middendorp, made a couple of telling substitutions at half-time and the introduction of Gert Schalkwyk and David Mathebula had an immediate beneficial effect.
Both replacements came close to scoring immediately after the interval before classy Ghanian striker Luis Agyemang finally opened the score in the 56th minute with the first of two clinical and composed goals.
United missed a golden opportunity of staying in contention when Mozambican international Tico Tico Bucuane, who had a nightmarish game, shot directly at Rowen Fernandez from 8m with only the Chiefs goalkeeper to beat.
The sprightly Mathebula waltzed through the static United defence to make the score 2-0 in the 64th minute after incisive build-up passes from the dominant David Obua and Schalkwyk.
And although Swaziland international Tony Tzabedze briefly inserted a degree of hope into Supersport’s play when he swept the ball into the net through a packed goal mouth in the 66th minute, the visitors flattered to deceive.
Agyemang’s second goal in the 77th minute had the 12 000-strong crowd in a frenzy as Chiefs’ third win over United in the past two seasons seemed to obliterate memories of the hoodoo that had blighted them for more than four years.
Sundowns advance
Mamelodi Sundowns advanced to the Absa Cup last 16 when they beat Lamontville Golden Arrows 1-0 in a game played at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban on Saturday afternoon.
Sundowns booked their place into the next round through a goal by Manqoba ”Shakes” Ngwenya scored during injury time.
Both sides created chances, but the strikers couldn’t finish the good work created in midfield.
The game looked to be going into extra time when Ngwenya came to the rescue by pushing a loose ball into the net after some confusion within the Abafana Bes’thende defence.
The home side were let down by Alton Meiring and Mabhuti Khanyeza when they failed to put away their chances, while Jose Torrealba missed an earlier opportunity for the visitors.
Ngwenya showed that he’s currently in top form and excited the fans at this well-attended game. He also combined well in the middle of the park with Ezrome Nyandoro.
The outstanding player for Arrows was goalkeeper Davis Phiri, who made an excellent save to clear the header from Torrealba.
Santos sail on
Santos advanced to the next round of the Absa Cup competition when they beat Island FC 6-0 after leading 3-0 at the interval in their match played at Cape Town’s Athlone Stadium on Saturday night.
In the fifth minute, Marawaan Bantam put over a cross to the unmarked Carlo Scott but he headed the ball past the far upright.
Santos opened the score in the 17th minute when Bantam’s free kick was headed on by Jean-Marc Ithier to Omar Hendricks, who scored. A minute later Santos were awarded a penalty for hand ball and Dipsy Selolwane made no mistake with the spot kick.
Santos increased the score in the 27th minute when Scott passed to Bantam and his fierce shot sailed into the net.
Selolwane got his second goal in the 64th minute when he put away a corner kick from Bantam. In the 89th minute, Bantam took another corner, which was headed home by captain Edries Burton. Two minutes later, the final nail in the coffin was scored by Hendricks for his brace. — Sapa